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'Sopranos' Actor Cleared In Murder Of Policeman

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 23, 2008

Lillo Brancato, who played a bumbling aspiring mobster on "The Sopranos," was cleared Monday in New York of second-degree murder in the shooting death of an off-duty policeman.

The jury convicted Brancato of a lesser charge of attempted burglary. He faces a minimum of three years in prison on that count.

Prosecutors say Brancato and accomplice Steven Armento broke into an apartment to steal prescription drugs. Officer Daniel Enchautegui, who lived next door, came out to investigate.

Armento blasted the 28-year-old officer with his .357 Magnum, hitting him in the heart. The dying officer fired back, wounding both men. Armento was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole.

Brancato, 32, rose to fame in the 1993 movie "A Bronx Tale."

Restraining Order Granted

Kirsten Dunst has won a court's protection from a man who she says has trespassed at her home.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard E. Rico granted Dunst's request to order 25-year-old Christopher R. Smith to stay away from the actress, her personal assistant and any place they work.

Dunst, who has appeared in three "Spider-Man" films, wrote last month that she was "quite frightened" of Smith. He was arrested by Dunst's assistant last month after trespassing at her house.

Actor Aims For Safety

David Spade can now check this off his Christmas list: 300 rifles.

The funnyman, 44, stopped by a police station in his former hometown of Phoenix on Monday morning to present a check for $100,000 toward the purchase of rifles for patrol officers, a police source tells People.

The donation helps fund a program being coordinated by Phoenix Police Chief and Public Safety Manager Jack Harris and Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Officer Mark Spencer.

"Asking there be no fanfare or media attention, Mr. Spade called last week and said he wanted to donate $100,000 to the Phoenix Police Department towards the purchase of rifles to help keep our patrol officers and community safe," the source says.

"This mutual agreement can now move ahead with momentum thanks to the generosity of Mr. Spade."

Today's Birthdays

Emperor Akihito of Japan is 75. Rock musician Jorma Kaukonen is 68. Actor-comedian Harry Shearer is 65. Actress Susan Lucci is 62. Rock musician Dave Murray (Iron Maiden) is 52. Singer Terry Weeks is 45. Rock singer Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) is 44. The first lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, is 41. Actor Corey Haim is 37. Actress Estella Warren is 30. Actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle is 18.

Sources: The Associated Press, People.com

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